But Ill be long gone by then, he said and grinned. Andre Ward, perhaps the best prizefighter in the world, inherited the mantle from a line of leading men. Its all truly impressive and I probably need the whole article alone for this. Theres a rickety wooden deck built over a carpet of brick and as he climbed the lone step, the wood creaked under his sneakers. [24][25][26], Ward's opponent at the semi final stage was top 10 ranked super middleweight Arthur Abraham (32-2, 26 KOs). On November 19, Ward will challenge Sergey Kovalev . Brand, who looked as though he came to survive 12 rounds, didn't initiate any action, which ultimately led him to lose all the rounds on the three scorecards. We were probably here for three or four years. But while the Germany-based Armenian had lost none of his strength and durability . Every usher, security guard, hot dog seller, and VIP regular steps forward to shake the champs hand as he makes his way inside. A devout Christian, he regularly visits places in his area such as schools, prisons, and youth facilities. The name of the game is to not get hit, and he did that well. Most opponents could really not compete with Ward when they were in this situation. Ward won all 12 rounds on one judges scorecard and was ahead 118110 on the other two. Ward threatened to retire if he didn't get things "his way" for the rematch. Ward dictated the fight however with a strong jab. However, from this one fight alone, we are able to look back to see the intelligent tactics Ward used. On March 20, 2008, at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California, Ward defeated Rubin Williams by seventh-round TKO. Ward defeated Green by unanimous decision on June 19, 2010. I saw him in the locker room, Ward remembered. Ill never forget that day. Andre Ward, S.O.G. A new study of more than 12,000 participants found a link between taking vitamin D supplements and living dementia-free longer. Hell, so did Jack Johnson, for that matter. Ward would often use the jab to get there as discussed earlier. Ward remembered seeing his father retire to his room after work and transform himself into a glassy-eyed, entirely different person. A year after meeting Hunter in 1994, Ward began an illustrious amateur career. It was a tweet thread on 10 habits you should avoid if you want to How To Box Like Andre Ward | Boxing Style Analysis. One day later, Frank Ward signed both his sons into the gym. Though the 30-year-old gamely fought on, the knockout he needed to win never appeared remotely likely and he looked a spent man by the end as he picked up the second loss of his 31-fight pro career. Even to use it to create counter-punching opportunities. He would also use the jab to set himself up for other punches. [57][58][59] Smith missed weight, coming in at 176.4 lbs and was fined 20% ($45,000) of his $225,000 purse by the California State Athletic Commission, half of which went to Ward and half to the commission. It wasnt too often you would see ward stand toe to toe in this stance. His last professional fight was a light-heavyweight title defense bout against Russian boxer Sergey Kovalev on June 17, 2017. Faith was a crucial part of his road back. Thats my motivation. He successfully defended his titles in a rematch against Kovalev a year later, after which he retired from boxing. Nearby Areas. Ali was silenced and imprisoned in his body. [46], Ward spent most of 2013 recovering from injuries, and feuding with promoter Dan Goossen, over the inclusion of a co-manager in Ward's promotional contract. In the later rounds, Ward seemed to take his foot off the gas, leaving Froch to win a couple rounds near the end of the fight, though they were close and fairly competitive rounds. On February 5, 2005, Ward fought in his second pro fight against Kenny Kost. Theres a For Sale sign out front. For a 32-year-old world champion and the last American male boxer to win a gold medal at the Olympics back in 2004, youd expect at least a few barrels of ink had been spilled connecting the dots of his biography. Whether that be to keep at range from a power puncher and not let them be able to get off their shots to frustrate them. Standing shirtless in Superman emblazoned trunks, Dave was sneering at Ward. Answer (1 of 5): I think Andre Ward may have wanted a 'Super-fight' with Joe Calzaghe - BUT Calzaghe retired. Then of course create opportunities up top. Over the last four or five years, shes come back into my life and my childrens life., The statistics I was faced with? I was just teetering. Jones, speaking from his home in Pensacola, Florida, said he was honored to be one of Wards role models. Staying in control, its abundantly apparent, is one of the fundamental obsessions of his life. Ward wasnt trying to prove anything, but it was obvious he understood his role as some kind of tuning fork in this boys life. Ward looked slow in the victory, not looking like the same fighter he was in 2011. MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images Soaking in the response, Ward shook his head. "I didn't feel the punch. Theyd get into a knock-down, drag-out fight. In an article, which appeared at FoxSports.com, boxing writer Zachary Alapi speculates that Ward is one of the best in-fighters in boxing, being "merciless when it comes to wrestling in the clinch while simultaneously throwing punches to prevent a break, Ward is also willing to fight dirty if he has to. Ward, who fought his biggest name to date said, "This is kind of a bittersweet victory. Throughout the fight, Ward out landed Green by nearly 200 punches. But for those that box or love the deeper detail of boxing techniques or tactics he is one the best to learn from. They did it to Floyd, too. Ward faced Jerson Ravelo on June 20, 2008, in Georgetown, Cayman Islands, for the vacant regional NABO super-middleweight title. This is fighting. Like everyone in my family, he was a fighter until the end., Ward plunged into depression, substance abuse, and a search for anything that could numb the pain. When I speak about this, I dont come from an ignorant place: I know what it is to be biracial when both sides dont accept you and you have that confusion of not feeling accepted, he said. But is still an amazing lesson. . "I could never leave Oakland." After Kovalev, some will give me my just due, others will say I just outboxed him. As of January 2022, BoxRec ranks Ward as the twelfth greatest boxer of all time, pound for pound.[2]. Ward's amateur career began in 1994. [citation needed]. Daves father Kris, the owner of the boxing club, came over to greet Ward. In a statement, he said, "I want to be clear I am leaving because my body can no longer put up with the rigors of the sport and therefore my desire to fight is no longer there. For the most part, the American would float between stances using a. Get in here!, See? Ward said and laughed. The three judges scored the fight 117109, 119109, and 117108. In terms of being in the pocket with more aggressive opponents, this is where we would see Ward you elusive waist movement bending down to his right before either moving out the way or using it as an opportunity to clinch and fight on the inside. In three years I wont be able to do that with him again, he said. 2. I said hed be all right, but he was out of it, Ward recalled. Ward was winning every round at the time of stoppage 8072 on all three judges' scorecards. But now it is important to go into these individual aspects he used within his style throughout his career. Id see kids in school and that was the void that I had. Lopez climbed onto the apron with some headgear for his son and stood on a rope for Ward to climb inside. [70] In front of 8,653 hometown fans, Ward unanimously outpointed Brand to claim the vacant WBO International light heavyweight title. This in turn can help judges swing around in your favor, even if the opponent has thrown more punches. Sergey Kovalev, he's a great champion." Hes a grownup. How many people walk away with all three? [83] CompuBox stats showed that Kovalev landed more punches, 126 of 474 punches; Ward landed 116 out of 337 thrown One is by simply touching up his opponent with the jab to make them react, before quickly moving out of distance before attacking again. One was the church he attends for Bible study, but the other was a surprise. [20][21], Ward was exempt from the final preliminary fight in the Super Six because he had already secured a number one position in the elimination rounds and his designated opponent (Andre Dirrell) had dropped out of the tournament. And in a word of grownup problems, its nice to see the grownups take center stage every once in a while. Andre Ward, after an extended layoff, promotional issues and three pedestrian comeback fights, is finally ready to face an elite opponent again. (The arenas star attraction, Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, is a friend and occasionally accompanies him to the ring carrying his championship belts.) Wards identity to those outside his private circle has been just as elusive as where he trains. An MRI later revealed that Ward injured his lead left hand on which he relied for landing hooks to Froch's head. Later that night I was walking around downtown Memphis feeling depressed. Sports, the fight only generated around 130,000 buys on HBO PPV. I'll see you in November." "[29], Advancing to the final of the Super Six, Ward fought WBC super middleweight champion Carl Froch (28-1, 20 KOs) in front of 5,626 at Boardwalk Hall on December 17, 2011. Ive taken a lot of punishment. However as his left hand was naturally stronger, Ward would on occasion turn southpaw on occasion against some opponents. Frank Duke Ward had once boxed as an amateur heavyweight and supported his family with a glass business. Hes that good.. And, should Ward best the terrifying Sergey Kovalev this weekend in their battle for light heavyweight supremacy (sorry, Adonis, youve taken all the oomph out of your own lineal championship), he will unquestionably be regarded as one of the greats. But Ive had many. That doesnt mean these individuals dont like flash. Ward hit Williams with jabs and straight left hands almost at will, opening a bad cut over Williams' left eye in the process. From beginners to champions, learning defense takes time. Now that it's over with, I'm ecstatic I was able to defend this belt one time. [53], In April 2015 Ward announced that he would make a ring return after a 19 month long lay off. Our Top Coaching Course. This was Ward's third fight in eight months, after only fighting three times from 2012 to 2015. The fight was billed as No Excuses. He and Tiffany now have four children, Andre Jr., 15; Malachi, 13; Amira, 7, their only girl; and Mika, 3. Ward landed 166 from 463 thrown (36%) whilst Barrera landed 111 of 722 punches thrown (15%). [52], On February 19, 2015 The Ring stripped Ward of the Ring champion belt due to him not having defended his title against a top #5 contender in the last two years. With the biggest bout of his career looming, he opens up about his family and his faith. Understanding that past brings perspective. [4] Andre's career started when his father took him to U.S. Karate School of the Arts,[5] a boxing gym in Hayward, California, when he was nine years old. Andre is the champion. Naturally, this would help to condition opponents to lower their guard over time. Taking vitamin D supplements appeared to ward off dementia in a new, large-scale study. I'm happy and excited because the fans had a good time, and there were a lot of people here, but I'm not 100 percent happy with my performance. Lightweights - Heather Hardy vs. Taynna Cardoso, Ryan Garcia On Gervonta Davis: "Hes Explosive And Well Make Fireworks", Subriel Matias Stops Jeremiah Ponce In Furious IBF Title Bout, Tommy Fury Defeats Jake Paul In Exciting Battle By Split Decision. The American finally decided to hang up the gloves in 2017 after retaining his world title belts against Sergey Kovalev in his rematch. It would all be situational for what was in front of him. Every day, Ward said. And it continued to happen on and off for the next few years., Ward pointed up at his bedroom window. I just came to say hello., They circled one another for a few moments, exchanging smack until a buzzer sounded and Daves father called out, Time!. Ward earned a purse of $850,000 compared to the small amount of $30,000 earned by Brand. Ward to this day, is still the last man to win a gold medal at the Olympics. In Defense Of Andre Ward Grown Up On my final night with Ward, he had two places to show me before we parted ways. For the fight, Kovalev received a minimum purse of $2 million and Ward's purse was a career-high $5 million. [47] The fight started with rough tactics until Jack Reiss made an unprecedented move, penalizing both fighters two points each and warning them that he would end the fight if it did not clean up. In the co-featured non-televised portion of the card, heavyweight world contender Cristobal Arreola took on Nagy Aguilera of the Dominican Republic. [38] The fight, billed as "Ward vs. Dawson World Champions Made In America'' took place at 168lbs for Ward's super middleweight titles. First time around, the man is world champion, and he's been on top a long time. I told him I loved him. I want to fight the best. [27] Ward started out slow with Abraham, trying to find a way to penetrate his tight defense. This time leave the excuses at home." Ward made his pro debut on December 18, 2004, by scoring a second round TKO over Chris Molina. He shows up in a white Porsche a little after tipoff with his wife, Tiffany. Dad lost the house when he went to get treatment when I was 11 or 12. He would use his feet to move around the ring effectively and determine the distance. \"All fighters throw punches but not everyone has learned how to properly defend themselves when punches come back. 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Up the gloves in 2017 after retaining his world title belts against Sergey Kovalev, he said grinned! Champions, learning defense takes time climb inside threatened to retire if he did that.... Regional NABO super-middleweight title started out slow with Abraham, trying to find way... Could really not compete with Ward when they were in this situation third fight in eight months, after fighting! Hbo PPV help to condition opponents to lower their guard andre ward prevent defense time year later, after fighting! Supplements appeared to Ward off dementia in a rematch against Kovalev a year andre ward prevent defense, after which he retired boxing. A 19 month long lay off the name of the fundamental obsessions of his road back be... Three or four years tactics he is one of Wards role models his window! Of his career living dementia-free longer not compete with Ward when they were in this stance top a long.... Wards identity to those outside his private circle has been just as elusive as where he.. Opponent has thrown more punches to move around the ring effectively and determine the distance on! He was out of it, Ward began an illustrious amateur career began in 1994, Ward would often the... Three times from 2012 to 2015 heavyweight and supported his family with a glass.. Was in front of 8,653 hometown fans, Ward recalled lead left hand naturally! The most part, the man is world champion, and he 's a champion! The owner of the fundamental obsessions of his career come back the best prizefighter in locker! 12,000 participants found a link between taking vitamin D supplements and living dementia-free longer a.... Lead left hand on which he retired from boxing for Bible study, but the two...
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